Defense of The Faith
On OCU’s Canonical Mindset, or “Your Suspension Is Invalid”
The case of an OCU cleric who refused to obey his own “bishop,” along with other similar incidents, raises questions about the canonical mindset of the OCU’s “clergy.”
OCU cleric Yurii Matveitsov was suspended from priestly ministry by his “archbishop,” Herman Semanchuk. But rather than comply, he declared the suspension “canonically null and void,” accused the hierarch of usurping power, and announced that he would continue serving as though nothing had happened.
“My authority as dean and parish rector remains in force,” Matveitsov assured his parishioners, adding that Liturgies, sacraments, and other religious services would continue to be celebrated at his church.
Priests sometimes disagree with bishops. Bishops sometimes make unjust decisions. Abuses of authority happen. But for a priest to simply declare his “bishop’s” decision invalid reveals a particular kind of religious mindset. And the OCU has no shortage of similar cases.
